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Syrian interim president and Kurdish-led SDF forge historic agreement
In a significant development amidst ongoing sectarian violence in Syria, the Syrian presidency announced a groundbreaking agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This collaboration aims to integrate the SDF into Syrian state institutions, potentially uniting the country under a centralized government.
The announcement, made visible through images released on Monday, features interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa alongside SDF leader Mazloum Abdi. The agreement, if executed, would extend the authority of the Syrian central government over SDF-controlled territories, encompassing vital areas such as border crossings, airports, and oil and gas fields.
This integration initiative recognizes the constitutional rights of the Kurdish population, affirming their citizenship as an integral part of Syria. However, questions remain regarding the degree of autonomy that Kurdish regions may retain under this new governance structure.
Additionally, the agreement outlines a ceasefire across Syria and provides assurances of support for the SDF in their efforts against "Pro-Assad" forces. The discussions surrounding SDF integration have been ongoing since the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad, yet this formal collaboration comes as a surprise given the SDF’s history of conflict with the Turkish-backed group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
The SDF has previously received substantial backing from the United States, particularly for its role in combating ISIS. However, as HTS fighters advanced towards Damascus in December 2024, U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a withdrawal from involvement, declaring that the U.S. should refrain from the conflict.
In the wake of escalating violence, reports indicate that approximately 6,000 Syrian Alawites have fled to Lebanon, seeking refuge from brutal assaults in Latakia and Tartus, where over 1,000 Alawite civilians were reportedly killed by Syrian security forces in retaliation against armed Alawite groups.